Textile article of clothing equipped for ballistic protection

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a textile article of clothing ( 1 ) equipped for ballistic protection, wherein the textile article of clothing ( 1 ) is made of a material mix of multiple yarns ( 3,4 ) with different properties which are knitted together such that the material mix has a ballistic component and at least one additional component. At least 80 wt. % of the textile article of clothing ( 1 ) consists of the ballistic component, wherein at least one of the yarns ( 3 ) contains silk in order to form at least one part of the ballistic component such that at least 40 wt. % of the textile article of clothing ( 1 ) consists of silk.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This US National Stage Non-Provisional Patent Application claims priority to earlier filed PCT Patent Application No. PCT/EP2021/076034 which was filed on 22 Sep. 2021 and which was published as WO 2022/073763 A1 on 14 Apr. 2022, and further claims priority to still earlier filed German Patent Application No. 10 2020 126 113.6 which was filed on 6 Oct. 2020, and still further claims priority to still earlier filed German Patent Application No. 20 2020 105 724.3 which was filed on 6 Oct. 2020. The entire contents of the aforementioned earlier filed PCT Patent Application and to both earlier filed German Patent Applications are all expressly and fully incorporated herein by this reference.

Pursuant to USPTO rules, this priority claim to earlier filed PCT Patent Application No. PCT/EP2021/076034 which was filed on 22 Sep. 2021 and which was published as WO 2022/073763 A1 on 14 Apr. 2022, and further claims priority to still earlier filed German Patent Application Ng. 10 2020 126 113.6 which was filed on 6 Oct. 2020, and still further claims priority to still earlier filed German Patent Apolication No. 20 2020 105 724.3 which was filed on 6 Oct. 2020 is also included in the Application Data Sheet (ADS) filed herewith.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The invention relates to a textile article of clothing equipped for ballistic protection.

The invention also relates to an underwear system equipped for ballistic protection.

A textile article of clothing of this kind is known from EP 3 408 607 B1.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

By “equipped for ballistic protection” is meant in particular a personal protection gear thanks to articles of clothing worn close to the body, such that the wearer of the article of clothing is protected against the effects of an explosion and the fragments produced thereby, or their effects on the wearer should be reduced.

It has been discovered through studies that there is a heavy increase in injuries to the lower body, especially in the genital area, for military personnel, but also the civilian population, in crisis regions, especially in regions where terrorist activities regularly occur. This is due to the fact that, amongst other things, terrorists make use of unconventional explosive and incendiary devices, so-called IEDs. These are explosive devices usually positioned on the ground and producing their effect upward from the ground. This results in primary fragments and secondary fragments, which injure the lower body in particular. Particles of sand, dust and debris are also accelerated by the explosion. Moreover, a pressure wave and fire result from the explosive and incendiary devices.

Underwear having a ballistic protection is known from the prior art, referring to U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,958 B1 for this purpose. The underwear, for example underpants, has pockets, in which ballistic protection packets are inserted. The ballistic protection packets can be, for example, a ballistic material with the brand name SPECTRAFLEX® from the Allied Signal Company. It is also known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,958 B1 to use aramid filament or polyethylene filament, such as Twaron™ and DYNEEMA®, to make the protection packets which are to be inserted into the pockets.

The contrivance known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,958 B1 affords relatively good protection against a frontal gunshot, but only inadequate protection against explosions of the aforementioned unconventional explosive and incendiary devices positioned near the ground. Moreover, the protection packets inserted in the pockets have the risk of becoming shifted in an unwanted manner. Furthermore, the wearer of the underwear is hindered by the protection packets, for example when lying on the ground or crawling forward.

A further drawback of known underpants with ballistic protection is that their protection packets are only inadequately designed for areas of the lower body actually in need of special protection.

From DE 10 2012 110 104 A1 there is known an item of underwear having a base surface composed of a knitware of UHMWPE (ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene), preventing the penetration of fragments, and another textile material different from this.

A UHMWPE yarn is known under the brand name DYNEEMA® and is offered by the Dutch enterprise Royal DSM N.V.

The different textile materials or the different zones making up the underwear are sewn together. This invention was based on the consideration that the entire underwear need not be formed from an overall knitware preventing the penetration of fragments, but only basically the regions in need of special protection. Therefore, in the context of this invention, it is assumed to be adequate to use the knitware made of UHMWPE in a first zone of the base surface in need of special protection. Moreover, the invention was based on the consideration, by contrast with the prior art as is known from U.S. Pat. No. 6,961,958 B1, of not making the underwear at first entirely from a material without ballistic protection and then providing pockets to hold ballistic protection packets. By contrast with this, DE 10 2012 110 104 A1 discloses that the underwear is composed by sewing together multiple textile materials which are different from each other. In this way, the underwear should have a relatively low basis weight and nevertheless afford a good protection action.

However, it has been discovered that the protection effect of underwear produced according to the disclosure of DE 10 2012 110 104 A1 is still in need of improvement. One problem is that the aforementioned IED explosive traps produce their effect in three waves (pressure, fire, fragmentation). At first, a pressure wave acts on the textile article of clothing, especially the underwear. As a result, this is inflated and the seams sewing together the individual textile surfaces can split apart. While the areas meant to assure a ballistic protection effect are still basically intact, they are no longer necessarily in the prescribed places, since all the other areas have been disrupted and in particular the seams may be torn. A ballistic protection action is no longer reliably afforded when fragments and debris act on the body with the second wave, based on the explosion. Thus, the fragments and debris can get into the body.

It has been found that the first wave produces an excess pressure which generally pumps up and inflates the textile article of clothing. The protective clothing is split open by this pressure and pumping up.

Another significant drawback of the known textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection is that it is ill suited to camouflage. UHMWPE is only available in white and black colours. Both colours are ill suited to camouflaging of the textile article of clothing. Aramids as an alternative to UHMWPE cannot be coloured in parts and furthermore they have yellow areas which is very unfavourable in terms of camouflage.

A further disadvantage of aramids is that these are not resistant to UV and therefore they are sealed in a black foil and have to be inserted as packets into the clothing, which in turn is detrimental to camouflage. Furthermore, clothing made of aramids exists. While this clothing is mostly worn as underwear, it is nevertheless exposed to UV radiation during laundering and drying. Moreover, the mechanical stability of aramids is impaired by laundering.

The textile article of clothing known from the generic document, EP 3 408 607 B1, constitutes an improvement over the mentioned prior art. It is provided in that document that the textile article of clothing has a knitted structure made from at least two yarns, where the knitted structure comprises ballistic components and fireproof components. It is proposed that the yarns are knitted together and form the knitted structure. Because the yarns are knitted together, the knitted structure can be made from a single piece and it can possess the desired advantageous properties of EP 3 408 607 81, a ballistic protection and a fire protection. The generic document thus proposes, unlike the mentioned prior art, not to protect isolated areas or form zones with different protection, but instead to produce a unified knitted structure. Thus, the yarns form a common knitted layer. The knitting together can be done, according to EP 3 408 607 B1, for example, in that each of the yarns used is provided on one or more bobbins and the yarns are then knitted together by a knitting program.

As the yarn to form the ballistic component of the knitted structure, the generic document discloses a yarn having ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, especially a UHMWPE yarn.

It has been found that the article of clothing known from the generic document affords a good protection effect and at the same time improves the wearing comfort.

Moreover, as further prior art, reference is made to EP 2 177 119 B1 and EP 3 175 199 B1 and EP 3 388 776 B1, which likewise disclose textile articles of clothing equipped for ballistic protection.

The present invention is based on the problem of creating a textile article of clothing equipped for a ballistic protection which further improves on the prior art, in particular, by offering good protection and being comfortable to wear.

The textile article of clothing equipped for ballistic protection according to the invention is made of a material mix of multiple yarns with different properties, which are knitted together such that the material mix has a ballistic component and at least one additional component. According to the invention, it is proposed that the textile article of clothing consists of at least 80 wt. % of the ballistic component, and at least one of the yarns contains silk to form at least one part of the ballistic component, such that the textile article of clothing consists of silk by at least 40 wt. %.

The solution according to the invention makes it possible to produce a textile article of clothing equipped for ballistic protection as a unified knitted piece. The yarns knitted together to provide the ballistic component and the additional component of the material mix together form a single knitted ply.

By producing the textile article of clothing from a unified material mix consisting of multiple yarns with different properties, a textile article of clothing can be made having an advantageous protection action, especially protection against fragments, yet being pleasant to wear.

The inventor makes use of the knowledge that it is not necessary for adequate ballistic protection to make the textile article of clothing only from a high-strength material protecting against ballistic effects, but instead it is possible to confer additional properties on the textile article of clothing by a suitable choice of (at least) one additional yarn, without jeopardizing the ballistic protection.

The inventor has further discovered that it is advantageous, when forming at least one portion of the ballistic component, for at least one of the yarns to contain silk, such that the textile article of clothing consists of silk by at least 40 wt. %. The inventor has discovered that silk is especially advantageously suitable as a ballistic material, that is, as a material preventing the penetration of fragments, that is, offering protection against fragments.

Silk affords not only ballistic protection, especially against fragments, but also has a pleasant feel and a cooling effect on the wearer. The material can take up moisture very well and advantageously pass this on to the garment layers above it, especially when the textile article of clothing is underwear, which significantly improves the wearing comfort for the user. Because silk has been chosen to form the ballistic component of the material mix or to form at least one portion of the ballistic component of the material mix, it is furthermore possible to elevate the weight and the apparel psychology of the textile article of clothing, especially underwear, to the stature of high-quality functional apparel, especially functional underwear. Thus, it is not necessary to form different zones in the textile article of clothing, such as zones with ballistic action or zones for transporting of sweat, as is known in the prior art.

According to the invention, it can be provided that the textile article of clothing has a unified base surface, which consists of the material mix made up of the yarns knitted together. This can be a so-called knitware, providing the base surface, that is, the entire surface of the textile article of clothing. The cuffs or the collar could also be produced in another manner, but preferably the cuffs and the collar are also made of the material mix. It can also be provided that the cuffs and the collar have a composition different from the base surface, so that they can perform their function advantageously. Moreover, it can also be provided that a different yarn is used for labels or the like, for example. However, this does not alter the fact that the textile article of clothing is (at least substantially) formed from a material mix made up of multiple yarns with different properties that are knitted together. The invention should be understood in this way.

One embodiment where the textile article of clothing consists of at least 80 wt. % of the ballistic material can be achieved by using, in addition to silk, another or several other materials with ballistic effect, especially high-strength yarns. It is also possible to increase correspondingly suitably the proportion of the material mix made up of silk.

Advantageously, the textile article of clothing consists of at most 95 wt. %, further preferably at most 90 wt. % silk.

Advantageously, at least one of the yarns contains silk to form the ballistic component, such that the material mix consists of at least 80 wt. % silk.

Preferably, a yarn containing silk is used, such that the textile article of clothing consists of 80 wt. % silk.

One embodiment where the material mix consists of at least 80 wt. % silk has proven to be especially suitable. Preferably, the ballistic component of the material mix is provided solely or exclusively by silk. However, it is also possible to use one or more other yarns in addition to silk, which have a ballistically active material, especially a high-strength material.

Advantageously, the at least one yarn containing silk consists of silk.

It has proven to be especially suitable when the yarn used to form the ballistic component consists of silk or at least consists substantially of silk.

According to the invention it is provided that the silk is animal or natural silk.

Preferably, the silk is so-called mulberry silk.

According to the invention it can be provided that the yarn consisting of silk is a multi-ply twisted yarn.

It has proven to be especially suitable, especially in order to provide a good protection against the penetration of fragments, when the yarn consisting of silk is a multi-ply twisted yarn.

Advantageously, the multi-ply twisted yarn is formed from at least two initial twists which are twisted together, the initial twists each consisting of at least two threads twisted together, and the threads are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.

It has proven to be especially suitable, especially in regard to the desired protection against fragments and tearing strength, when the multi-ply twisted yarn is formed from at least two initial twists which are twisted together and the initial twists each consist of at least two threads twisted together, and the threads are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.

According to the invention it can be provided that the multi-ply twisted yarn is formed from two initial twists which are twisted together, the initial twists each consisting of six threads twisted together, and the threads are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.

The mentioned formation of a multi-ply twisted yarn from two initial twists which are twisted together, each of them consisting of six threads twisted together, which in turn are each formed from silk filaments twisted together, has proven to be especially suitable.

Initial twists are also called single-ply yarns in the prior art.

According to the invention it can be provided that the threads to form the initial twists are twisted together in a first direction of rotation and the initial twists to form the multi-ply twisted yarn are twisted together in a second, opposite direction of rotation.

The mentioned formation has proven to be especially suited to achieving the best possible protection against fragments and tearing strength. It is especially advantageous when the multi-ply twisted yarn is formed from two initial twists which are twisted together, each of the initial twists consisting of six threads twisted together, and these in turn are formed from silk filaments twisted together.

According to the invention it can moreover be provided that the yarn consisting of silk is formed such that the yarn has a fine fastness of 15 to 50 cN/tex, preferably 20 to 45 cN/tex, especially preferably 24 to 40 cN/tex.

The mentioned values have proven to be especially well suited to forming a textile article of clothing with suitable ballistic protection or suitable protection against fragments. Advantageously, the textile article of clothing is designed so that it has a V₅₀ value against a 0.13 g (2.0 grain) FSP fragmentation shell >200 m/s, the test being performed preferably according to STANAG 2920.

According to the invention it can moreover be provided that at least one additional high-strength yarn is provided to form the ballistic component, having the property of being able to prevent the penetration of fragments.

While it may be advantageous not to use any further yarn in addition to silk to form the ballistic component, in specific applications it may be advantageous to use another yarn in addition to silk to form the ballistic component, especially when even greater protection against fragments is to be achieved and/or when the other yarn to form the ballistic component has yet other suitable properties.

Advantageously, the at least one additional high-strength yarn is an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), especially DYNEEMA®.

It has proven to be especially suitable to use an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene, especially DYNEEMA®, as the high-strength yarn to form the ballistic component. The yarn with the brand name DYNEEMA® is offered by the Dutch group Royal DSM N.V. An alternative to DYNEEMA® can also be a plastic filament with the brand name SPECTRA® from Honeywell International Inc.

The use of DYNEEMA® for another yarn intended to provide ballistic protection has proven to be especially suitable, particularly because DYNEEMA® has a good protection effect against fragments and furthermore it is highly durable and abrasion-resistant. DYNEEMA® can be particularly suitable, for example, when a good abrasion resistance is also advantageous, for example and without limitation, in the case of a fall during motorcycle riding.

Advantageously, the at least one yarn containing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) consists of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

It has proven to be especially suitable when the yarn containing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) consists of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), preferably DYNEEMA®.

According to the invention it is provided that the material mix is formed from multiple, that is, at least two yarns knitted together with different properties. The at least one additional yarn can be a yarn which confers an additional advantageous property on the textile article of clothing. This can be a yarn which for example optimizes the tailoring or the fit and/or one which further improves the feel and/or further improves the moisture transport and/or offers flame protection and/or takes up moisture and/or offers vector protection or insect protection and/or has antistatic properties and/or gives the textile article of clothing a suitable colour, the yarn in particular having a brown and/or green and/or beige colour.

According to the invention it can be provided that at least one of the yarns to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains polyamide (PA).

By using a yarn which contains polyamide or consists of polyamide to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix, the tailoring or fit can be optimized both in the new condition and also after laundering.

Advantageously, the textile article of clothing consists of 3 to 18, preferably 4 to 16, further preferably 6 to 14, even more preferably 7 to 12, especially preferably 8 to 10, most particularly 9 wt. % polyamide (PA).

The mentioned values, especially the formation of the textile article of clothing such that it has 9 wt. % polyamide, has proven to be especially suitable for the formation of a textile article of clothing with a suitable ballistic protection effect.

Advantageously, at least one of the yarns to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains elastane (EL) or consists of elastane.

In this way, the tailoring or fitting can be further improved.

Advantageously, the textile article of clothing consists of 0.5 to 5, preferably 1 to 4, further preferably 1.5 to 3, especially 2 wt. % elastane (EL).

The proportion of elastane in the material mix, according to the above given values, has proven to be especially suitable, especially when the textile article of clothing consists of 2 wt. % elastane.

It can be of advantage when polyamide and elastane are formed together in a yarn. Preferably, therefore, the textile article of clothing can be produced from a yarn containing silk or consisting of silk, and a yarn containing polyamide and elastane or consisting of polyamide and elastane. The knitting together of the two yarns to form the textile article of clothing according to the invention can be done, for example, in that each of the two yarns is provided on one or more bobbins, and the yarns are then knitted together by a knitting program, preferably on a circular knitting machine. Of course, it can also be provided that further yarns are knitted together in addition, for example when a further high-strength yarn in addition to silk is to be used or when yarns are to be used which confer additional properties on the textile article of clothing, especially one or more of the aforementioned properties, such as a flame-retarding property.

Apart from the ballistic property, all other properties, such as the flame-retarding property, which the textile article of clothing should possess are combined or subsumed under the term “additional component” of the material mix.

A yarn which has a flame-retarding property and which can therefore form a fireproof component of the material mix can be made from rayon or possess rayon, for example. In particular, this can be a modified or flame-retarding rayon. The flame-retarding yarn can be made preferably from VISCONT®. VISCONT® is a filament yarn made from 100% rayon.

Alternatively, a yarn which should provide a fire-resistant component of the material mix can likewise be formed preferably as a staple fibre yarn made from multiple fibre components. The staple fibre yarn can preferably consist of at least three fibre components, among which are preferably Modacryl, rayon, and an antistatic fibre, preferably Belltron®.

The staple fibre yarn can be formed for example as Protal®. Protal® is a staple fibre yarn made from three fibre components (Modacryl, rayon, Belltron®), i.e., a mixed yarn. The distribution of the three fibre components and their proportion in the staple fibre yarn need not be uniform, but instead can be formed in an appropriate manner.

If yarns with flame-retarding properties are to be used, these should preferably be chosen or be present in a proportion in the material mix such that the textile article of clothing can withstand a flame exposure for 10 seconds according to DIN EN 15025 without dripping, melting, or the like, and without the textile article of clothing having to be covered by an additional textile layer (outerwear).

It can be provided that the additional component of the material mix affords vector protection, such as protection against insects. It is particularly suitable for this when the yarn forming the additional component contains Cell Solution® Protection or consists of this. Cell Solution® Protection is a natural cellulose fibre having on its inside a depot of the active ingredient Permentrin for effective repelling of insects. The depot structure of the fibre makes it possible for the Permentrin to get to the surface of the fibre from the inside of the fibre during each laundry process. Alternatively, it is also possible to use a similar product, especially one made from similar ingredients. Cell Solution® Protection can be added as a spinning mass and be blended with a staple fibre yarn, preferably Protal®. A suitable yarn can then be made by a spinning process.

According to the invention it can be provided that the article of clothing has cuffs, which are preferably seamlessly attached.

It has proven to be especially suitable to attach the cuffs seamlessly.

Basically the same material can be used to form the cuffs as that to form the textile article of clothing, but it can also be provided that an additional yarn is used, so that the cuffs become firmer. The additional yarn can also replace one of the other ingredients.

According to the invention it can be provided that care instructions and/or further information are worked into the at least one cuff by means of knitting technology.

It has proven to be advantageous to work in the care instructions and/or further information by means of knitting technology in the at least one cuff so as not to affect the skin sensation. Moreover, the information is then joined inseparably to the cuff.

Advantageously, the care instructions and/or the further information are worked in by means of a yarn containing polypropylene (PP).

The use of a yarn containing polypropylene, preferably consisting of polypropylene, has proven to be especially suitable for working into the cuff.

Advantageously, the textile article of clothing consists of 0.2 to 2 wt. %, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 wt. %, further preferably 0.8 to 1.2 wt. %, especially 1 wt. % polypropylene (PP).

It has proven to be suitable for the fraction of polypropylene in the textile article of clothing to be in particular 1 wt. %.

Advantageously, the textile article of clothing is designed to be worn lying closely against or near the body.

It has been shown that the ballistic article of clothing, especially when it involves ballistic underwear or ballistic underclothing, is especially effective for its purpose when the article of clothing is fashioned to be worn close to the body or lying tightly against the body of the user. The pressure waves thus cannot penetrate beneath the textile article of clothing and thereby force the textile article of clothing away from the body of the user and/or burst it. It has been shown that articles of clothing which are too loose carry the danger of the pressure wave—and thus primary and secondary projectiles—getting underneath the textile article of clothing.

The close fit on the body furthermore has the benefit, especially in hot climate zones, of not forming any additional air insulation layers. Furthermore, the close fit on the body optimizes the transport of sweat.

When the textile article of clothing is underwear, such as a T-shirt or underpants, these are preferably designed such that no additional underwear has to be worn. The textile article of clothing according to the invention corresponds to good functional underwear in terms of apparel psychology.

According to the invention it can be provided that at least one of the yarns forming the additional component of the material mix, especially a yarn consisting of polyamide (PA) and elastane (EL), is knitted by plating such that the yarn forming the additional component of the material mix lies against the inside of the textile article of clothing.

It has proven to be especially suitable when (at least) one of the yarns forming the additional component of the material mix is a yarn containing polyamide and elastane, preferably consisting of these materials, while other materials may also possibly be added. Moreover, it has proven to be especially suitable when the yarn consisting of polyamide and elastane is knitted by a method known as plating, such that the yarn is located on the inner side of the textile article of clothing or lies against it, so that the yarn is facing toward the body of the user when the article of clothing is worn properly.

By plating is meant a process in which knitting is done on both sides, so that the textile article of clothing can have yarns with different properties on the inner side and the outer side. Usually, such a process is used to knit two different yarns (different colours or materials) which are not twisted together on different sides of the article of clothing in a single work step, so that the article of clothing has a different appearance on the inside than that on the outside. The inventor has discovered that a plating can be used advantageously for the article of clothing according to the invention so that it has a yarn on the inside which consists of polyamide and elastane, so that the textile article of clothing achieves a good tailoring or optimized fit.

By plating, it is possible for the two yarns, that is, the yarn containing silk or consisting of silk and the yarn containing polyamide and elastane or consisting of polyamide and elastane, to form together a knitted ply, where one yarn lies more on the inside, that is, facing the body of the user, and the other yarn lies more on the outside, that is, facing away from the body of the user.

Advantageously, the textile article of clothing consists of 86 to 90 wt. %, especially 88 wt. % silk, and/or 8 to 10 wt. %, especially 9 wt. % polyamide (PA) and/or 1.5 to 2.5 wt. %, especially 2 wt. % elastane (EL) and/or 0.5 to 1.5 wt. %, especially 1 wt. % polypropylene (PP).

The polypropylene serves merely for working in the care instructions and/or additional information in the cuff. Thus, the textile article of clothing consists substantially of the silk, the polyamide, and the elastane. The silk, the polyamide, and the elastane form the textile article of clothing or form the unified base surface of the textile article of clothing.

A textile article of clothing made from the mentioned materials, especially when it consists of 88 wt. % silk, 9 wt. % polyamide, 2 wt. % elastane and 1 wt. % polypropylene, has proven to be especially suitable for achieving the stated purposes.

Advantageously, the textile article of clothing is a knitted fabric.

It has proven to be especially suitable when the entire article of clothing is a knitted fabric and the entire article of clothing has a unified knitting ply made of the material mix.

Advantageously, the textile article of clothing is fashioned as an undershirt or T-shirt.

A fashioning of the textile article of clothing as an undershirt or T-shirt is especially suitable, since the benefits of silk can be utilized in particular, namely, the ballistic protection effect, the comfortable feel, and the cooling effect on the user.

According to the invention it can be provided that the T-shirt is fashioned as a raglan shirt.

A fashioning of the T-shirt as a raglan shirt makes it possible to reduce the number of seams to improve the wearing comfort.

Advantageously, the seams of the T-shirt are formed in a flatlock design.

The forming of the seams in a flatlock design has proven to be advantageous in terms of skin sensation.

Advantageously, a torso piece of the T-shirt is produced seamlessly.

The collar of the T-shirt can preferably be sewn on.

A seamless formation of the torso piece has proven to be especially suitable in terms of wearing comfort. Because the torso piece has no seams, the danger of a blast effect or an inflating of the torso piece by a pressure wave is largely reduced.

Advantageously, the weight of the T-shirt is 340 to 380 g/m².

In terms of wearing comfort and the ballistic protection effect, the aforementioned values have proven to be especially suitable. Depending on the size of the T-shirt, the weight per T-shirt can thus be from 180 to 300 g, for example 210 g for size M.

In one embodiment of the invention it can be provided that the textile article of clothing is fashioned as underpants.

A fashioning of the textile article of clothing as underpants can be especially suitable since in this case, as already described for a fashioning of the textile article of clothing as a T-shirt, the benefits of the invention are especially effective.

Advantageously, the underpants are produced seamlessly, with the exception of a seam present in the area of the crotch, and the seam in the area of the crotch is a flatlock seam.

A fashioning of the underpants such that they have a production-related seam only in the region of the crotch, preferably being produced as a flatlock seam, has proven to be especially suitable for affording suitable protection, especially against a blast effect or a pressure wave. Moreover, this design also prevents chafing during long marches.

Optimized zones can be ergonomically incorporated in the underpants, affording optimal protection of the underpants during all kinds of movement, in addition to the elastane which is used with preference.

In an embodiment of the textile article of clothing as underpants, it can be provided that a gusset area is sewn on between the legs of the user.

Advantageously, the weight of the underpants is 300 to 330 g/m².

The aforesaid values have proven to be especially suitable, so that on the one hand the underwear provides advantageous protection against the penetration of fragments and on the other hand the wearing comfort is not adversely affected.

With the mentioned values, one gets a weight per underpants of 95 to 170 g, depending on size. For size M, for example, one gets a weight of around 120 g.

According to the invention it can be provided that the textile article of clothing is formed as headgear, headscarf, scarf, snood, balaclava, brassiere, sock, knee stocking, glove, glove liner, or long-arm shirt.

It has been found that the textile article of clothing according to the invention is also particularly advantageously suitable for the forming of the abovementioned articles of clothing. In these instances as well, there is an advantageous combination of ballistic protection, comfortable feel, and cooling effect on the user.

According to the invention it can moreover be provided that the textile article of clothing is a torso piece, and arm pieces made from a woven material are sewn to the torso piece.

A formation of the textile article of clothing as a torso piece is particularly suitable for producing a so-called combat shirt, having a torso piece and two arm pieces. The torso piece can be a knitted fabric, which is made in its entirety preferably seamless, as described above. An especially suitable design of a combat shirt results in connection with the arm pieces, which are formed from a woven material, that is, a webware. Preferably, the arm pieces are long-armed, but a short-armed configuration is also possible. The torso piece can be fashioned to be worn directly on the body, that is, the additional wearing of underwear beneath it is not necessary. The torso piece can fulfil the purpose of underwear.

The combat shirt preferably has a collar, which is sewn onto the torso piece. The collar can be made from a woven material.

Advantageously, the arm pieces are formed by a webware with camouflage print, preferably made from a light, flame-retarding twill, and/or the torso piece has no camouflaging properties.

The arm pieces can preferably be made from a light, flame-retarding twill. Preferably, the arm pieces have a camouflaging, especially a camouflage print, preferably a three-colour camouflage print. This can be realized in an especially easy manner for a woven material. Pockets can be provided at the elbows of the arm pieces, preferably to hold flexible elbow protectors. The arm pieces can also have further pockets, such as a pen-holder pocket. The combat shirt can replace a combat jacket thanks to the design with the arm pieces, especially during high temperatures. Overall protection for the upper body results when the combat shirt is worn together with a ballistic protection vest, covering the torso piece, and then a camouflaging for the torso piece of the combat shirt can preferably be omitted, making it easier and more economical to produce.

Basically, however, it is also possible for the torso piece to also have a camouflaging thanks to a suitable colour choice for the yarns, especially the yarn making up the additional components of the material mix. The torso piece in the exemplary embodiment is preferably fashioned as a seamless tube, or is produced seamlessly from the yarns knitted together.

The present invention also relates to an underwear system equipped for ballistic protection, comprising a first textile article of clothing, which is formed as a T-shirt, and a second textile article of clothing, which is formed as underpants, wherein the T-shirt and the underpants are designed such that the T-shirt and the underpants overlap and lie close against each other when worn properly.

Advantageously, the underpants are formed from a material mix in a region where they overlap with the T-shirt, when the underwear system is worn properly, which is identical to the material mix from which the overlapping region of the T-shirt is formed.

A design in which the underpants and the T-shirt overlap in the pelvis region of the user is advantageous.

The T-shirt and the underpants are preferably designed to assure good blast protection when worn properly overlapping. Preferably, the underpants and the T-shirt overlap significantly.

In particular, good protection against flames is also achieved in conjunction with fire-retarding combat clothing worn over the clothing.

The solution according to the invention affords the advantage of a good ballistic stopping power or protection against fragments. The solution according to the invention is furthermore blast-resistant and also has a good wearing comfort in hot climate zones. The solution according to the invention has a low insulation value to improve the body climate, as well as very good interoperability with other protection elements, such as a protective vest and also combat clothing.

The article of clothing according to the invention is preferably a weft-knitted fabric, but it is also possible to produce a textile article of clothing with the claimed material mix as a warp-knitted fabric.

It can be of special advantage when the yarn or one of the yarns making up the additional component of the material mix has flame-retarding properties.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention will emerge from the exemplary embodiments described below with the aid of the drawing.

SUMMARY

A Textile Article of Clothing Equipped for Ballistic Protection generally provides a mix of multiple yarns, each of the multiple yarns having different properties, and the mix of multiple yarns, each having different properties are knitted together forming the article of clothing.

A principal aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection, wherein the textile article of clothing (1) is made of a material mix of multiple yarns (3,4) with different properties, which are knitted together such that the material mix has a ballistic component and at least one additional component, characterized in that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of at least 80 wt. % of the ballistic component, and at least one of the yarns (3) contains silk to form at least one part of the ballistic component, such that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of silk by at least 40 wt. %.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that at least one of the yarns (3) to form the ballistic component contains silk, such that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of silk by at least 80 wt. %.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the at least one yarn (3) containing silk, consists of silk.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the silk is animal silk or natural silk (SE).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the yarn (3) consisting of silk is a multi-ply twisted yarn (5).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the multiply twisted yarn (5) is formed from at least two initial twists (6) which are twisted together, the initial twists (6) each consisting of at least two threads (7) twisted together, and the threads (7) are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the multi-gly twisted yarn (5) is formed from two initial twists (6) which are twisted together, the initial twists (6) each consisting of six threads (7) twisted together, and the threads (7) are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the threads (7) to form the initial twists (6) are twisted together in a first direction of rotation (S) and the initial twists (6) to form the multi-ply twisted yarn (5) are twisted together in a second, opposite direction of rotation (Z).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the yarn (3) consisting of silk is formed such that the yarn (3) has a fine fastness of 15 to 50 cN/tex, preferably 20 to 45 cN/tex, especially preferably 24 to 40 cN/tex.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that at least one additional high-strength yarn is provided to form the ballistic component, having the property of being able to prevent the penetration of fragments.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the at least one additional high-strength yarn is an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), especially DYNEEMA®.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that at least one of the yarns (4) to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains polyamide (PA).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 3 to 18, preferably 4 to 16, further preferably 6 to 14, even more preferably 7 to 12 especially preferably 8 to 10, most particularly 9 wt. % polyamide (PA).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that at least one of the yarns (4) to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains elastane (EL).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 0.5 to 5, preferably 1 to 4, further preferably 1.5 to 3, especially 2 wt. % elastane (EL).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the article of clothing (1) has cuffs (8), which are preferably seamlessly attached.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that care instructions and/or further information are worked into the at least one cuff (8) by means of knitting technology.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the care instructions and/or the further information are worked in by means of a yarn containing polyproplyene (P).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 0.2 to 2 wt. %, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 wt. %, further preferably 0.8 to 1.2 wt. %, especially 1 wt. % polypropylene (PP).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing (1) is designed to be worn lying closely against or near the body.

A further aspect of the Present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the at least one yarn containing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) consists of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene(UHMWPE).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that at least one of the yarns (4) forming the additional component of the material mix, especially a yarn (4) consisting of polyamide (PA) and elastane (EL), is knitted by plating such that the yarn (4) forming the additional component of the material mix lies against the inside of the textile article of clothing (1).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 86 to 90 wt. %, especially 88 wt. % silk, and/or 8 to 10 wt. %, especially 9 wt. % polyamide (PA), and/or 1.5 to 2.5 wt. %, especially 2 wt. % elastane (EL), and/or 0.5 to 1.5 wt. %, especially 1 wt. % polypropylene (PP).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing (1) is a knitted fabric.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing is fashioned as an undershirt or T-shirt (1).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the T-shirt (1) is fashioned as a raglan shirt.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that seams (12) of the T-shirt (1) are formed in a flatlock design.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that a body piece (10) of the T-shirt (1) is produced seamlessly.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the weight of the T-shirt (1) is 340 to 380 g/m².

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing is fashioned as underpants (1).

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the underpants (1) are produced seamlessly, with the exception of a seam (12) present in the area of the crotch, and the seam (12) in the area of the crotch is a flatlock seam.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the weight of the underpants (1) is 300 to 330 g/m².

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing (1) is formed as headgear, headscarf, scarf, snood, balaclava, brassiere, sock, knee stocking, glove, glove liner, or long-arm shirt.

A further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the textile article of clothing is a torso piece (1), and arm pieces (13) made from a woven material are sewn to the torso piece (1).

An even further aspect of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection characterized in that the arm pieces (1) are formed by a webware with camouflage print, preferably made from a light, flame-retarding twill, and/or the torso piece (1) has no camouflaging properties.

An even still further aspect of the present invention is an underwear system equipped with ballistic protection, comprising a first textile article of clothing (1), which is formed as a T-shirt (1), and a second textile article of clothing (1), which is formed as underpants (1), wherein the T-shirt (1) and the underpants (1) are designed such that the T-shirt (1) and the underpants (1) overlap and lie close against each other when worn properly.

These and other aspects of the present invention are more fully set forth and disclosed herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE FIGURES

The figures each show preferred exemplary embodiments in which individual features of the present invention are shown in combination with one another. Features of one exemplary embodiment can also be implemented separately from the other features of the same exemplary embodiment and can accordingly be readily combined by a person skilled in the art to form further useful combinations and sub-combinations with features of other exemplary embodiments.

In the figures, functionally like elements are provided with the same reference signs.

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a textile article of clothing in an embodiment as a T-shirt or undershirt,

FIG. 2 is a perspective rear view of the T-shirt or undershirt represented in FIG. 1 ,

FIG. 3 is a perspective front view of a textile article of clothing in an embodiment as underpants,

FIG. 4 is a perspective rear view of the underpants represented in FIG. 3 ,

FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of a textile article of clothing in an embodiment as a torso piece, where arm pieces of a woven material are sewn onto the torso piece,

FIG. 6 is a perspective rear view of the textile article of clothing and the arm pieces represented in FIG. 5 ,

FIG. 7 is a basic diagram of a cross section through a yarn forming the ballistic component of the material mix and which is a yarn consisting of silk,

FIG. 8 is a basic diagram of a cross section through a yarn forming the additional component of the material mix, being a yarn containing polyamide and elastane or consisting of polyamide and elastane,

FIG. 9 is a basic diagram of a knitting process to produce the textile article of clothing,

FIG. 10 is a basic diagram of how to produce an initial twist from preferably six threads and a multi-ply twisted yarn and the yarn consisting of silk from two initial twists.

DETAILED WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

This disclosure gf the invention is submitted in furtherance of the Constitutional purposes of the US Patent Laws “to promote the progress of Science and the useful arts” (Article 1. Section 8).

The production of textiles and the various processing methods for textiles are rather well known from the general prior art, so that only the specific features of the textile article of clothing 1 according to the invention shall be discussed more closely herein.

For the production of the textile article of clothing 1 according to the invention, a flat knitting machine or a circular knitting machine can be used. A circular knitting machine is especially suitable in particular for the making of a T-shirt, underpants, or a torso piece.

All the features of the following explained exemplary embodiments, especially the features represented with the aid of the different embodiments of the textile article of clothing, can be combined with each other in any desired manner. The features mentioned with regard to one embodiment can also be applied to the other embodiments in order to make further advantageous variants of the textile article of clothing according to the invention. Moreover, the features of the embodiments which are not explicitly designated as being essential to the invention can also be omitted.

The textile article of clothing according to the invention, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 , can be fashioned for example as a T-shirt 1, or as represented in FIGS. 3 to 4 , as underpants 1, or as represented in FIGS. 5 and 6 , as a torso piece 1 of a combat shirt 2.

However, the textile article of clothing 1 according to the invention can also be a headgear, headscarf, snood, balaclava, sock, knee stocking, glove, glove liner, or brassiere. These variants are not shown more closely in the exemplary embodiment, however the basic makeup of the textile articles of clothing mentioned in this paragraph is described for example in EP 3 388 776 B1.

The exemplary embodiment is not to be understood as being limited to the exemplary embodiments represented in FIGS. 1 to 6 . The features mentioned in the context of the exemplary embodiments can also be implemented in the other mentioned textile articles of clothing.

The textile article of clothing 1 according to the invention is equipped for ballistic protection, that is, the textile article of clothing 1 protects the wearer against the effects of an explosion and the resulting fragments, or reduces the effects thereof on the wearer.

The textile article of clothing 1 is preferably designed so that it has a V₅₀ value against a 0.13 g (2.0 grain) FSP fragmentation shell >200 m/s, the test being performed preferably according to STANAG 2920.

The textile article of clothing 1 comprises a material mix of multiple yarns 3, 4 with different properties, which are knitted together such that the material mix has a ballistic component and at least one additional component.

According to the invention, it is provided that the material mix of the yarns 3, 4 knitted together consists of at least 80 wt. % of the ballistic component. It can be provided that, in order to form at least a portion of the ballistic component, at least one of the yarns, in the exemplary embodiment yarn 3, contains silk, such that the textile article of clothing 1 consists of silk by at least 40 wt. %.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the yarn 3 consists of silk.

Specifically, in the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the textile article of clothing 1 consists of at least 80 wt. % silk to form the ballistic component.

In addition to the ballistic component of the material mix being provided by the yarn 3 made of silk, a further high-strength yarn can also be provided to form the ballistic component, preferably an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), especially DYNEEMA®. That is, in addition to the yarn 3 made of silk, a further yarn, preferably DYNEEMA®, is used.

It can also be provided that two or more high-strength yarns are used in addition to the yarn 3 made of silk in order to form the ballistic component of the material mix.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the ballistic component of the material mix is provided exclusively or solely by the yarn 3 made of silk.

The silk from which the yarn 3 is formed in the exemplary embodiment is an animal silk or natural silk (SE), especially mulberry silk.

FIG. 7 shows as an example a yarn 3 made of silk.

FIG. 10 shows an especially preferred makeup of the yarn 3. Preferably, the yarn 3 made of silk is formed from a multi-ply twisted yarn or constitutes a multi-ply twisted yarn 5. The multi-ply twisted yarn 5 consists of at least two initial twists 6 which are twisted together, the initial twists 6 each consisting of at least two threads 7 twisted together. The threads 7 are each formed from silk filaments twisted together. In the exemplary embodiment, as represented in FIG. 10 , it is provided that the multi-ply twisted yarn 5 which forms the yarn 3 is formed from two initial twists 6 which are twisted together, the initial twists 6 each consisting of six threads 7 twisted together. The threads 7 are each formed from silk filaments twisted together, in a manner not shown.

In the exemplary embodiment it is furthermore preferably provided that the threads 7 to form the initial twists 6 are twisted together in a first direction of rotation S and the initial twists 6 to form the multi-ply twisted yarn or the yarn 3 are twisted together in a second, opposite direction of rotation Z.

In the exemplary embodiment it is thus preferably provided that the threads 7 to form the initial twists 6 are twisted together in one direction of rotation and the initial twists 6 to form the multi-ply twisted yarn 5 are twisted together in an opposite direction of rotation. This results in an especially high tearing strength or an especially high fine fastness value and a suitable ballistic stopping power, so that the penetration of fragments is prevented or their effects on the wearer of the textile article of clothing 1 are reduced.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the yarn 3 consisting of silk is formed such that the yarn has a fine fastness of 15 to 50 cN/tex, preferably 20 to 45 cN/tex, especially preferably 24 to 40 cN/tex.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that at least one of the yarns, being the yarn 4 in the exemplary embodiment, to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains polyamide (PA).

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the textile article of clothing 1 consists of 3 to 18 wt. % polyamide (PA), preferably 4 to 16 wt. % polyamide (PA), further preferably 6 to 14 wt. % polyamide (PA), even more preferably 7 to 12, especially preferably 8 to 10 wt. % polyamide (PA), and most particularly 9 wt. % polyamide (PA).

In the exemplary embodiment it is moreover provided that at least one of the yarns, being yarn 4 in the exemplary embodiment, to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains elastane (EL).

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the textile article of clothing 1 consists of 0.5 to 5, preferably 1 to 4, further preferably 1.5 to 3, especially 2 wt. % elastane (EL).

In the exemplary embodiment, as represented in FIG. 8 , it is preferably provided that the yarn 4 which provides the additional component of the material mix contains polyamide (PA) and elastane (EL). That is, in the exemplary embodiment the additional component of the material mix of the textile article of clothing 1 is provided by the yarn 4 with the aforementioned materials. Basically, however, it is also possible for the polyamide (PA) and elastane (EL) to be provided each by their own yarn. However, it has proven to be advantageous to provide polyamide (PA) and elastane (EL) in a single yarn 4.

In the exemplary embodiment it can be provided that the material mix has further yarns with further different properties, which form the additional component of the material mix, or that the yarn 4 contains further materials. In particular, it can be provided that yarns or materials with flame-retarding properties are used. For example, yarns made of Viscont or also staple fibre yarns made from at least three fibre components, among them Modacryl, rayon, and Belltron®. Moreover, yarns can also be used which have a brown and/or green and/or beige colour. Furthermore, yarns or materials can be used which afford vector protection. The additional material or the additional yarn can also be a material or yarn with antistatic properties. It is especially advantageous to employ a yarn having flame-retarding properties and also vector protection.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the yarn 4 which forms the additional component of the material mix and which preferably consists of polyamide (PA) and elastane (EL) is knitted by plating, such that the yarn 4 forming the additional component of the material mix lies against the inside of the textile article of clothing 1. Preferably, the yarn 4 is a so-called plating yarn.

In the exemplary embodiment it can be provided that the textile article of clothing 1 has cuffs 8. Such cuffs 8 are represented in various configurations in FIGS. 1 to 6 . The cuffs 8 can be formed for example at the ends of arm pieces 11, if the textile article of clothing 1 is a T-shirt, or at the ends of leg pieces, if the textile article of clothing 1 is underpants. The cuffs 8 can also form a collar 9, if the textile article of clothing 1 is a T-shirt, as is represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 , or a torso piece, as is represented in FIGS. 5 and 6 .

Moreover, the cuff 8 can be a cuff 8 situated in the region of one hip as the termination of the respective textile article of clothing 1, when the textile article of clothing 1 is worn properly. The exemplary embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 6 show such cuffs 8.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided, in a way not otherwise shown, that care instructions and/or further information are worked by means of knitting technology into the at least one cuff 8. The care instructions and/or the further information can preferably be worked in by means of a yarn, which contains polypropylene (PP) or consists of polypropylene (PP). It can be provided that the textile article of clothing 1 consists of 0.2 to 2 wt. %, preferably 0.5 to 1.5 wt. %, further preferably 0.8 to 1.2 wt. %, especially 1 wt. % polypropylene (PP).

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the textile article of clothing 1 consists of 86 to 90 wt. %, especially 88 wt. % silk, and/or 8 to 10 wt. %, especially 9 wt. % polyamide (PA), and/or 1.5 to 2.5 wt. %, especially 2 wt. % elastane (EL), and/or 0.5 to 1.5 wt. %, especially 1 wt. % polypropylene (PP).

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the textile article of clothing 1, as represented in FIGS. 1 to 6 , that is, in an embodiment as a torso piece 1 of a combat shirt 2 (FIGS. 5 and 6 ), as a T-shirt 1 (FIGS. 1 and 2 ), or as underpants 1 (FIGS. 3 and 4 ), can be worn lying tight against or near the body.

In the exemplary embodiment, the textile article of clothing 1, that is, the T-shirt 1 as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the underpants 1 per FIGS. 3 and 4 , and the torso piece per FIGS. 5 and 6 , is a knitted fabric.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show an especially preferred embodiment of the textile article of clothing 1 as an undershirt or T-shirt 1. The T-shirt 1 in the exemplary embodiment is fashioned as a raglan shirt. In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that a body piece 10 of the textile article of clothing 1 fashioned as a T-shirt is made seamlessly. In the exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the arm pieces 11 of the textile article of clothing 1 fashioned as a T-shirt are sewn on by means of seams 12, being formed preferably in a flatlock design in the exemplary embodiment.

The body piece 10 and the arm pieces 11 of the T-shirt 1 together constitute the textile article of clothing according to the invention and are formed from an identical material mix of yarns 3, 4 knitted together.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the weight of the T-shirt 1 is preferably 340 to 380 g/m².

FIGS. 3 and 4 show a further advantageous embodiment of the textile article of clothing 1 according to the invention, being fashioned as underpants 1 according to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

The underpants 1 of FIGS. 3 and 4 are made preferably seamless, with the exception of a seam 12 present in the region of the crotch, by which a gusset not otherwise shown is sewn on. The seam 12 is preferably a flatlock seam.

In the exemplary embodiment it is provided that the weight of the underpants 1 is preferably 300 to 330 g/m².

FIGS. 5 and 6 show another advantageous embodiment of the textile article of clothing 1. According to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the textile article of clothing 1 is fashioned as a torso piece 1 of a combat shirt 2. The combat shirt 2 has arm pieces 13 in addition to the textile article of clothing formed as a torso piece 1. The arm pieces 13 are stitched by seams 20 to the torso piece 1. The arm pieces 13 in the exemplary embodiment are formed from a webware, preferably with a camouflage print. The webware is preferably a light, flame-retarding twill. The torso piece 1 of FIGS. 5 and 6 preferably has no camouflaging properties.

The arm pieces 13 of the combat shirt 2 can preferably have a three-colour camouflage print. Pockets 14 to hold flexible elbow protectors (not shown) are provided preferably on the elbows of the arm pieces 13 in the exemplary embodiment. The arm pieces 13 can also preferably have a respective strap 15 with hook and loop fasteners in the region of the arm terminations, so that the width of the arm terminations can be adjusted. The arm pieces 13 can optionally have a pen-holder pocket 16 in the region of the front end of the left arm piece 13. In a manner not otherwise shown, a mosquito net can be provided for ventilation in the region of the forearm of the arm pieces 13, which can preferably be opened and closed by a zipper.

In the region of the upper arms of the arm pieces 13 there can optionally be provided further pockets 17 as stowage space. Moreover, a Velcro tape can be provided in order to contain rank insignia or optionally serve at the same time as a pen holder. The collar 9 of the combat shirt 2 in the exemplary embodiment is fashioned preferably as a stand-up collar, preferably with no possibility of being opened, in order to avoid pressure points. The collar 9 is preferably sewn onto the torso piece 1.

The torso piece 1 of the combat shirt 2 can replace an undershirt or a T-shirt and be worn as the lowermost layer on the body, as represented in the exemplary embodiment.

The exemplary embodiment also counts as a disclosure for an underwear system equipped for ballistic protection, composed of a first textile article of clothing, fashioned as a T-shirt 1, and a second textile article of clothing, fashioned as underpants 1. The T-shirt 1 and the underpants 1, for example as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 or in FIGS. 3 and 4 , respectively, are designed so as to lie close against each other and overlap in the region of the hips of the user, when the T-shirt 1 and the underpants 1 are worn properly.

FIG. 9 basically shows a knitting process. As an example, underpants 1 are represented, such as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . However, it could just as well be another textile article of clothing, especially a T-shirt, as represented in FIGS. 1 and 2 , or a torso piece 1, as represented in FIGS. 5 and 6 . The underpants represented in FIG. 9 are a knitted fabric made from a material mix of the yarns 3, 4, which are knitted together. The yarns 3, 4 are wound off from bobbins 18. A knitting machine 19 is provided here for the knitting. It can be a flat knitting machine or a circular knitting machine. It has proven to be advantageous to design the knitting machine 19 as a circular knitting machine when the textile article of clothing 1 is a torso piece 1 of a combat shirt 2 or underpants 1 or a T-shirt 1.

FIG. 9 shows a knitting machine 19 with two bobbins 18 for the yarn 3 and two bobbins 18 for the yarn 4. It can also be provided that more than two bobbins per yarn are used, which accordingly speeds up the knitting process.

Operation

Having described the structure of my Textile Article of Clothing Equipped for Ballistic Protection, its operation is briefly described.

A principal object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing (3) equipped for ballistic protection comprising: a material mix of multiple yarns (3,4) wherein the multiple yarns (3,4) have different properties; and wherein the multiple yarns (3,4) are knitted together such that the material mix has a ballistic component; and the material mix has at least one additional component in addition to the ballistic component; and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of at least 80 wt. % of the ballistic component; and at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) contains silk to form at least one part of the ballistic component; and the textile article of clothing (1) consists of silk by at least 40 wt. %.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) to form the ballistic component contains silk, such that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of silk by at least 80 wt. %.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) containing silk consists of silk.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the silk is animal silk or natural silk (SE). A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the at least one of the yarns (3,4) consisting of silk is a multi-ply twisted yarn (5). A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the multi-ply twisted yarn (5) is formed from at least two initial twists (6) which are twisted together, the at least two initial twists (6) each consisting of at least two threads (7) twisted together, and the at least two threads (7) that are twisted together are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the multi-ply twisted yarn (5) is formed from the at least two initial twists (6) which are twisted together, the at least two initial twists (6) each consisting of six threads (7) twisted together, and the six threads (7) that are twisted together are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the threads (7) to form the at least two initial twists (6) are twisted together in a first direction of rotation (S); and the at least two initial twists (6) to form the multi-ply twisted yarn (5) are twisted together in a second, opposite direction of rotation (Z).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) consisting of silk has a fine fastness of 15 to 50 cN/tex, preferably 20 to 45 cN/tex, especially preferably 24 to 40 cN/tex.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and further comprising: at least one additional high-strength yarn is provided to form the ballistic component; and the at least one additional high-strength yarn has a property of being able to prevent penetration of fragments.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the at least one additional high-strength yarn is an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns (3, 4) to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains polyamide (PA).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 3 to 18 wt. % polyamide (PA), preferably 4 to 16, further preferably 6 to 14, even more preferably 7 to 12, especially preferably 8 to 10, most particularly 9 wt. % polyamide (PA).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains elastane (EL).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 0.5 to 5 wt. % elastane (EL), preferably 1 to 4, further preferably 1.5 to 3, especially 2 wt. % elastane (EL).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and further comprising: at least one cuff (8) for the textile article of clothing and the at least one cuff (8) is seamlessly attached to the textile article of clothing.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and further comprising: care instructions and/or further information worked into the at least one cuff (8) by means of knitting technology.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the care instructions and/or the further information are worked into the at least one cuff (8) by means of a yarn containing polypropylene (PP).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 0.2 to 2 wt. % polypropylene (PP), preferably 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % further preferably 0.8 to 1.2 wt. %, especially 1 wt. % polypropylene (PP).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) is designed to be worn lying closely against or near a wearer's body:

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the at least one additional high-strength yarn containing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) consists of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) forming the additional component of the material mix, especially a yarn (4) consisting of polyamide (PA) and elastane (EL), is knitted by plating such that the at least one of the multiple yarns (3, 4) forming the additional component of the material mix lies against an inside of the textile article of clothing (1).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 86 to 90 wt. % silk, especially 88 wt. % silk, and/or 8 to 10 wt. % polyamide (PA), especially 9 wt. % polyamide (PAS, and/or 0.5 to 1.5 1.5 to 2.5 wt. % elastane (EL), especially 2 wt. % elastane (EL), and/or 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % Polypropylene (PP), especially 1 wt. % polypropylene (PP).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) is a knitted fabric.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing is an undershirt or T-shirt (1).

A further object of the present invention is, a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the T-shirt (1) is a raglan shirt.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein seams (12) of the T-shirt (1) are a flatlock design.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein a body piece (10) of the T-shirt (1) is seamless.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic, protection an wherein the weight of the T-shirt (1) is 340 to 380 g/m².

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing is underpants (1).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the underpants (1) have one seam (12) in a crotch area; and the one seam (12) in the area of the crotch is a flatlock seam.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein weight of the underpants (1) is 300 to 330 g/m².

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) is formed as headgear headscarf, scarf, snood, balaclava, brassiere, sock, knee stocking, glove, glove liner, or long-arm shirt.

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the textile article of clothing is a torso piece (1); and arm pieces (13) made from a woven material are sewn to the torso piece (1).

A further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the arm pieces (13) are formed by a webware with camouflage print, made from a flame-retarding twill; and the torso piece (1) has no camouflaging properties.

A still further object of the present invention is an underwear system equipped with ballistic protection, comprising: a first textile article of clothing (1) formed as a T-shirt (1); and a second textile article of clothing (1) formed as underpants (1); and wherein the T-shirt (1) and the underpants (1) overlap and lie close against each other when worn properly.

An even still further object of the present invention is a textile article of clothing equipped with ballistic protection and wherein the at least one additional high-strength yarn is DYNEEMA®.

In compliance with the statute, the present invention has been described in language more or less specific, as to structural and methodical features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown and described since the means herein disclosed comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims appropriately interpreted in accordance with the Doctrine of Equivalents. 

1. A textile article of clothing (1) equipped for ballistic protection comprising: a material mix of multiple yarns (3,4) wherein the multiple yarns (3,4) have different properties; and wherein the multiple yarns (3,4) are knitted together such that the material mix has a ballistic components; and the material mix has at least one additional component in addition to the ballistic component; and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of at least 80 wt. % of the ballistic component; and at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) contains silk to form at least one part of the ballistic component; and the textile article of clothing (1) consists of silk by at least 40 wt. %.
 2. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) to form the ballistic component contains silk, such that the textile article of clothing (1) consists of silk by at least 80 wt. %.
 3. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) containing silk consists of silk.
 4. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the silk is animal silk or natural silk (SE).
 5. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 3 and wherein the at least one of the yarns (3,4) consisting of silk is a multi ply twisted yarn (5).
 6. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 5 and wherein the multi-ply twisted yarn (5) is formed from at least two initial twists (6) which are twisted together, the at least two initial twists (6) each consisting of at least two threads (7) twisted together, and the at least two threads (7) that are twisted together are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.
 7. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 6 and wherein the multi-ply twisted yarn (5) is formed from the at least two initial twists (6) which are twisted together, the at least two initial twists (6) each consisting of six threads (7) twisted together, and the six threads (7) that are twisted together are each formed from silk filaments twisted together.
 8. The textile article of clothing, as claimed in claim 6 and wherein the threads (7) to form the at least two initial twists (6) are twisted together in a first direction of rotation (S); and the at least two initial twists (6) to form the multi-ply twisted yarn (5) are twisted together in a second, opposite direction of rotation (Z).
 9. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 3 and wherein the at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) consisting of silk has a fine fastness of 15 to 50 cN/tex.
 10. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and further comprising: at least one additional high-strength yarn is provided to form the ballistic component; and the at least one additional high-strength yarn has a property of being able to prevent penetration of fragments.
 11. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 10 and wherein the at least one additional high-strength yarn is an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
 12. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains polyamide (PA).
 13. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 12 and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 3 to 18 wt. % polyamide (PA).
 14. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) to form at least a portion of the additional component of the material mix contains elastane (EL).
 15. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 14 and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 0.5 to 5 wt. % elastane (EL).
 16. (canceled)
 17. (canceled)
 18. (canceled)
 19. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 18 and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 0.2 to 2 wt. % polypropylene (PP).
 20. (canceled)
 21. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 11 and wherein the at least one additional high-strength yarn containing an ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) consists of ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE).
 22. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) forming the additional component of the material mix, especially a yarn (4) consisting of polyamide (PA) and elastane (EL), is knitted by plating such that the at least one of the multiple yarns (3,4) forming the additional component of the material mix lies against an inside of the textile article of clothing (1).
 23. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) consists of 86 to 90 wt. % silk, and/or 8 to 10 wt. % polyamide (PA), and/or 1.5 to 2.5 wt. % elastane (EL), and/or 0.5 to 1.5 wt. % polypropylene (PP).
 24. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) is a knitted fabric.
 25. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the textile article of clothing is fashioned-gas an undershirt or T-shirt (1).
 26. (canceled)
 27. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 25 and wherein seams (12) of the T-shirt (1) are a flatlock design.
 28. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 25 and wherein a body piece (10) of the T-shirt (1) is seamless.
 29. (canceled)
 30. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the textile article of clothing is underpants (1).
 31. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 30 and wherein the underpants (1) have one seam (12) in a crotch area; and, the one seam (12) in the area of the crotch is a flatlock seam.
 32. (canceled)
 33. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the textile article of clothing (1) is formed as headgear, headscarf, scarf, snood, balaclava, brassiere, sock, knee stocking, glove, glove liner, or long-arm shirt.
 34. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 1 and wherein the textile article of clothing is a torso piece (1); and arm pieces (13) made from a woven material are sewn to the torso piece (1).
 35. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 34 and wherein the arm pieces (13) are formed by a webware with camouflage print, made from a flame-retarding twill; and the torso piece (1) has no camouflaging properties.
 36. An underwear system equipped with ballistic protection, comprising: a first textile article of clothing (1) formed as a T-shirt (1); and a second textile article of clothing (1) formed as underpants (1); and wherein the T-shirt (1) and the underpants (1) overlap and lie close against each other when worn properly.
 37. The textile article of clothing as claimed in claim 10 and wherein the at least one additional high-strength yarn is DYNEEMA®. 